On the Vitamin K Requirement of Turkey Poults ,

Blood: Physical Characteristics, Formed Elements, Hemoglobin, and Coagulation

“…Although sulfonamides may influence intestinal vitamin K synthesis by bacteriostatic action, such synthesis does not playa decisive role in the supply of this vitamin to growing chickens. Because there is also a positive correlation between the sulfonamide dose and the amount of vitamin K necessary to overcome the hypoprothrombinemia induced by the former (Griminger, 1957), it appears that in addition to their bacteriostatic effect sulfonamides can act as vitamin K antagonists. Molds have also been implicated in the hemorrhagic syndrome.…”

“…Therefore, thromboplastic activity for avian prothrombin time determinations should be provided by bird Blood Coagulation tissue (Griminger, 1965a). Experimentation with ducks and turkeys (Didisheim et ai., 1959;Griminger, 1957) has indicated that in assay work it might possibly even be advantageous to use the brain of the same rather than of another avian species.…”

Avian Physiology

“…Because there is also a positive correlation between the sulfonamide dose and the amount of vitamin K necessary to overcome the hypoprothrombinemia induced by the former (Griminger, 1957), it appears that in addition to their bacteriostatic effect sulfonamides can act as vitamin K antagonists. The etiology of the syndrome has not been satisfactorily explained.…”